Kirkland, WA (June 26, 2026) – A multi-car collision temporarily shut down multiple lanes along southbound I-405 near NE 85th Street in Kirkland on Wednesday, June 24, causing heavy traffic delays before all lanes reopened.
The Washington State Department of Transportation first reported at approximately 11:05 a.m. that two HOV lanes and two left general-purpose lanes were blocked. About 10 minutes later, one lane reopened while emergency units worked on the roadway.
As the cleanup continued, the right lane remained closed, and the on-ramp from N.E. 85th St was partially blocked. Traffic backups grew from more than two miles to roughly three miles as many drivers sought alternate routes through Kirkland.
All travel lanes have since reopened. No injuries or fatalities were confirmed, and no names or additional details about the collision had been released at the time of publication.
The cause of the collision is still being examined, and additional information may be released as it becomes available.
We hope everyone affected returns safely to their normal routine.
Why Multi-Vehicle Traffic Backups Can Last Long After Lanes Reopen
Multi-vehicle roadway collisions often create delays that continue even after blocked lanes reopen. Traffic may take time to return to normal because vehicles remain closely packed from the earlier slowdown. Drivers entering from nearby ramps can also add to the congestion before traffic fully clears.
Several factors influence how quickly traffic recovers, including the number of vehicles involved, the time needed to remove disabled vehicles, and overall traffic volume. Even when all lanes reopen, backups may persist for several miles before gradually easing. Transportation agencies frequently encourage motorists to use alternate routes during these periods, helping reduce congestion while traffic patterns stabilize.
